Doan: 'Its going to take a little bit of time, but I'll be back'

GLENDALE, Ariz. --Coyotes forward
Shane Doan spoke to reporters briefly after the second period of Saturday's game against the Hurricanes at Jobing.com Arena.

The main reason? To assure a nervous and loyal fan base that he was still alive and kicking.

"It’s going to take a little bit of time, but I'll be back," Doan said. "Hopefully sooner than later."

Doan said he first started experiencing discomfort in Edmonton on Dec. 3, but he played still played both ends of a back-to-back set against the Oilers and Flames.

By the time he got to Vancouver for a Dec. 6 game, Doan couldn't play due to a fever, headaches and assorted aches and pains.

"Just uncomfortable more than anything," he said.

Doan said a doctor in Vancouver started him on unspecified medication, which helped. He said Saturday he is feeling much better and is back to doing "normal things." He even rode a stationary bike for 10 minutes Saturday, but he's still not certain whether he will make the team's upcoming four-game road trip, which begins Tuesday in Montreal.

"We'll have to wait and see how I'm feeling after a couple days," he said. "As long as we keep winning, it makes it way easier."

Doan admitted frustration over the uncertainty of a still-undiagnosed illness, whose test results are now expected back early next week.

"It would help if they could say this is what it was or what it is, but I'm responding to what they have me on and I'm feeling better -- feeling way better," he said. "I was not feeling so hot for a few days."

Doan smiled when asked about the rumors that have been swirling regarding his illness, but he did thank fans for the outpouring of concern.